Duplicating machine



Patented Feb. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DUPLICATING MACHINE John J. Flanigan, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to L C Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation ofNew York ApplicationSeptember 14,1933, Serial No. 689,411 24 Claims. (01. 101-133) This invention relates to duplicating machines and particularly those operating on the hectograph principle wherein a gelatin band is stretched over a bed to provide an impression surface to which sheets may be applied to receive impressions from a matrix on the impression surface. In machines of this kind it is usually necessary to apply the impressions on printed forms or the like and it is necessary that the data of the matrix be printed at certain definite places on the forms as, for example, on lines, as in the case of accounting forms, or in association with a letterhead or the like when the forms are bills, order blanks or the like. The alignment of the forms with the matrix to receive impressions is usually attained by providing a margin bar at one end of the impression surface and the forms are first engaged with this margin bar and then applied to the impression surface. By orienting the matrix relativeto the margin bar accurate positioning of the impressions on the forms is attained when the forms are properly engaged with the margin bar.

Acarriage is usually provided which is reciprocal over the impression surface to apply the sheets thereto and this carriage commonly includes a platen roller which forces the sheets into engagement with the impression surface upon movement of the carriage in one direction and which, in cooperation with another roller, strips the sheets from the impression surface upon movement of the carriage in the other direction. Sometimes, however, becauseof the length of the form or, for example, when the impressions are.

made on cards, the carriage is not utilized for stripping the forms from the impression surface but rather the carriage is moved beyond the end of the form which is then manually stripped from the impression surface. The forms are usually stripped from the impression surface by grasping the end which was engaged with the margin bar prior to application of the form to the impression surface. Hence, duplicating machines have been equipped with a margin bar which pivoted from gauging position when the carriage was moved over the impression surface toapply a sheet thereto and consequently the margin bar pivoted to and from gauging position upon each reciprocation of the carriagejand this occurred even when the sheets were stripped from the impression surface by the carriage rather than manually. Thus, while this pivoting of the margin bar to and from gauging position upon reciprocation of the carriage was objectionable by reason of the attendant noise and wear onthe supports therefor, it was nevertheless necessary that the margin bar be pivoted from gauging position to permit the edge of the sheet to be grasped to permit it to be stripped from the impression surface.

It is therefore the salient object of my invention to provide a margin bar in a duplicating machine which will remain in gauging position during reciprocation, of the carriage over the impression surface but which may be easily pivoted fromgauging position to permit a sheet to be manually stripped from the impression surface when so desired. Another. object is to lock the margin barin gauging positionat the time a sheet or form is to be engaged therewithto be oriented relative to a matrix. on the impression surface.

Still further objects are to counterbalance the margin bar so that it will remain in gauging position and to snub engagement thereof with the parts in the machine limiting its movement when it is pivoted fro-m gauging position.

.A selected embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a duplicating machine embodying my novel margin bar.

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view substantially on the line 2-2 on Fig. 1.- i

Fig. 3 is a sectional-detail view substantially on the line 33 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is afragmentary detail plan view of the margin bar. 7

While my novel margin bar may be usedin a duplicating machine of any desired construction I have illustrated, in the accompanying drawing, a duplicating machine of the kind shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 565,283, filed September 26, 1931, now Patent No. 1,955,059, patented April 17, 1934, which includes'a frame F adapted to rotatably support a gelatin band roll l at the rear end thereof. The gelatin band is withdrawn from this roll and is stretched over the bed 3 to be wound upon a take-up spindle at the front of the machine and suitable winding means, generally indicated by W and fully described in my above referred to co-pending application, are provided for winding the band to and from the take-up spindle. Suitable locking means, generally indicated by L, are provided for holding the winding means against movement whereby the band may be stretched taut on the bed B to provideagelatinous impression surface on which a matrix may be applied so that sheets subsequently laid upon the matrix on the impression surface will receive impressions therefrom. A

carriage C is mounted for reciprocation over the bed B to apply sheets to the gelatinous impression surface and this carriage may also be used to strip sheets from the surface. When the carriage C is at theforward end of the machine and when the platen roller therein'is retracted a sheet may be placed in the carriage and engaged with the margin bar at the front ,of the machine to be oriented relative to the matrix. My novel margin bar M is adapted to be so engaged and this bar is mounted at the front of the machine near the guide rail R at the front end of the bed and over which the gelatin band is directed to the take-up spindle.

The margin bar M includes a gauging part having a shoulder 6 with which the edge of a sheet is adapted to be engaged to be oriented relative to a matrix applied to the gelatin band stretched over the bed B, which matrix will havebeen previously oriented relative to the margin bar so that when a sheet engaged with the shoulder 6 is applied to the matrix an impression will be made thereon in a predetermined location. The gauging part 5 extends upwardly from the body of the bar M intermediate the ends thereof, as best illus trated in Fig. 1, and consequently the bar M includes fiat end portions '7 (Fig. 2). These flat end portions '7 are respectively fast to arms such as 8. The arms 8 are respectively pivoted as at 9 to the side rails of the frame F and the ends of these arms opposite that to which the end portions 7 are secured rest on stops 10 carried by the side rails. of the frame. When these end portions of the arms 8 rest on the stops 10 the gauging part 5 of the margin bar is held in gauging position and these end portions of the arms 8 are urged into engagement with the stops 10 by a plate 11, the ends of which are respectively secured to the arms 8, and this plate 11 serves to counterbalance the gauging part 5 butit is to be understood that any suitable arrangement might be provided in place of the plate 11 so as to counterbalance said gauging part 5. Such counterbalancing of the margin oar is effective to return thegauging part of the margin bar to gauging position when the bar is released after being pivoted from gauging position as will be explained.

When a sheet or card applied to the impression surface is to be manually stripped from the impression surface it is necessary that the margin of the. sheet or card adjacent the edge engaged with the margin bar be gripped andthis may be done conveniently for all the operator need do is rest the little finger of either hand on the margin bar whereupon it may be pivoted from gauging position and then the margin of the sheet or card which will then be exposed because it extends beyond the rail R may be conveniently grasped between the index finger and thumb whereupon the sheet or card may be stripped from the impression surface. 7

Since the margin bar is so mounted that the gauging part thereof may be freely pivoted from gauging position it is necessary that the gauging part be held in gauging position at a time when it is to be used for gauging purposes and to this end suitable locking means are provided for retaining the gauging part of the margin bar in gauging position. Such means include a housing 12 mounted on the side rail 13 of the'frame F which side rail is located at the right hand side of the machine as it is viewed from the front. As explained in my previously referred to copendingapplication, a guide rail 14 for the carriage C is mounted in the frame and the carriage includes a bracket 15 including a bearing slidable along this guide rail. A cam plate 16 is mounted in the bracket 15 and includes a cam surface 17. A spring pressed plunger 18 is mounted in the housing 12 and includes an end portion 19 disposed to be engaged by the cam surface 1'7 when the carriage is moved into its forwardmost position as determined by the stop 20 which is mounted on the top of the left hand side rail of the frame F. As the cam surface 17 rides over the end portion 19 the spring pressed plunger is urged inwardly and seats in a notch 21 in the arms, that is pivotally mounted on the side rail 13. The engagement of the plunger 18 in this notch locks the margin bar against movement from gauging position.

When the carriage is moved rearwardly and the 'cam surface 17 disengages the end portion 19 the spring acting on the plunger 18 retracts it from engagement with the notch 21 and the gauging part of the margin bar may then be pivoted from gauging position in the manner previously described. Movement of the gauging part of the margin bar from gauging position is limited by the bed B and in order to snub the engagement and eliminate the noise attendant to such engagement a bumper 22 is secured to the plate 11 by the nut and bolt 23 and this bumper 22 may be a block of leather or other resilient sound deadening material.

I have described my novel margin bar as used in connection with a hectograph duplicating machine but it is to be understood that it may be used on other types of printing machines and while I have describeda selected embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims:

I claim: I

1. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed, a platen carriage reciprocable over the bed longitudinally of the bed from and to a sheet receiving position adjacent one end of the bed and adapted to lay a received sheet upon the bed when moved from sheet receiving position, a margin bar adjacent said end of the bed and normally disposed in position to gauge a received sheet when the carriage is in sheet receiving position, said bar being pivotally supported to be swung manually from said sheet gauging position about an axis extending transversely of the bed to'permit-a sheet applied on the impression bed by said'carriage to be manually stripped from said bed, and means movable into a position for positively holding said margin bar in said sheet-gauging position and normally disengaged from the bar to permit swinging of the bar from and to sheet gauging pisition.

v 2. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed, means reciprocable longitudinally of the bed from and to a sheet receiving position adjacent one end of the bed and adapted to lay a received sheet upon the bed when moved from said sheet receiving position, a sheet gauging margin bar adjacent said end of the bed for gauging a received sheet while said means is in sheet receiving position, said bar being pivotally mounted to swing relatively to the bed from and to gauging position and being normally free to swing and normally urged into gauging position,

shiftable means for positively holding the bar in gauging position and means normally urging said holding means out of bar. holding position."

3. In a duplicating machine, the-combination of an impression bed, sheetlaying means reciprooable longitudinally ofthe bed from and to asheet receiving position adjacentone end of the bed andadapted to lay a received sheet upon the bed when moved longitudinally ofpthe bedfrom sheet receiving position, a sheet gauging margin bar adjacent said end of the bed and normally disposed for engagement by a received sheet to position the latter while the sheet laying means is in sheet receiving position, saidibar being pivotally mounted to be swung manually relatively to the bed from said sheet gauging position about an axis extending transversely of ,thebed to permit a sheet applied on the impression bedby said sheet laying means tobe manuallystripped from said bed, and means for locking said bar in gaug-v ing position and controlled by movement of the sheet laying means intosheet receiving position to lock the bar and controlled-by movement of thesheet laying means out of ,sheet receiving. po-;

sition to free said bar and movement thereof. I

4. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed, sheet laying meansfreciprocable longitudinally ofthe bed from and. to a sheet receiving position adjacent one end of the bed and adapted to lay a received sheet upon the bed when moved longitudinally of the bed from sheet receiving position, a sheet gauging margin bar adjacent said end of the bedrfor engagement by a received sheet to position the latter while the sheet laying means isin sheet receivingposition, saidbar being pivotally mountedto swing relatively to the bed from and to sheet gauging position about an, axis extending transversely of the bed, and means for locking said bar in gauging position controlled by movement: of the sheet laying means into sheet receiving position'to lock the bar and controlled by movement of the sheet laying means out of. sheet receiving position to free said ban-said bar havinga gauging portion and a portion which counterbalances the gauging portion and normally urges the bar into gauging position. I I I I 5. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed, aplaten carriage reciprocable over the bed longitudinally of the bed from and to a sheet receivingposition'adjacent one end of the bed and adapted to lay ,areoeived sheet upon the bed when moved over the. bed from sheet receiving position, a margin bar adjacent said end of the bed and normally disposed for engagement of a received sheet whilethe car riage is in sheet receiving position to position the sheet in the carriage for laying thereof upon the bed, means pivotally supporting the: bar to be swung manually relatively to the bedfrom the position whereat it positions a received sheet, the axis of pivotal movement of the bar extending transversely of the bed, and means controlled by the carriage for positively holding the bar in its normal sheet positioning position while the carriage is in sheet receiving position. and for freeing said bar for said pivotal movement about said axis upon movement of the carriage outof sheet receiving position.

6. In"a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed, a sheet laying platen carriage reciprocable over said bed longitudinally of the bed from and to a sheet receiving position adjacent one end of the bed, a swinging margin bar adjacent said' end of the bed, means actpermit said manual ing on said" bar to normally gravitate it into a position in which it is engageable by a received sheet while the carriage is in sheet receiving position to position the received sheet inthe carriage for laying of the sheet upon the bed, and normally ineffective locking means for said bar actuated by movement of the carriage into sheet receiving position to positively hold the bar in said sheet positioning position. r

7; In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed, means reciprooable'longitudinally of the' bed adapted to receive a sheet adjacent one end of the bed and to lay the received sheet upon the bed. when moved awayfrom saidendof the. bed, a margin bar adjacent said end of the bedpivotally mounted to swing about an axis extendingtransversely of the bed, said bar. having a sheet gauging part movable to and from a sheet gauging position adjacent said end of the bed-by pivotal movement of the bar about said axis,;said part of the bar being engageable when-the bar is in. gauging position by a received sheet to position the sheet when the sheet is inserted in:thereciprocablemeans with the latter means in sheet receiving position,- and counterbalanoing means for said gauging part of the bar normally urging the bar about its pivotal axis i-ntosheet gauging position. I

- 8. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed mountedv on a frame and a platen carriage movable thereover, a margin bar pivotally. mounted on the frame at'one end of said bed and having a gauging part normally disposed in gauging position to orient a sheet to be laid .upon said bed by said carriage, and means mounted in the frame and normally disengaged from the margin bar and adapted to be engaged with said margin bar to retain said bar with the gauging part thereof in gauging position.

9. In a duplicating machine, the. combination of: an impressionbed mounted on a frame, and a platen carriage movable thereover, a margin bar pivotally mounted on the frame at oneend of said bed and having a gauging part normally disposed in gauging position to orient a sheet to be laid upon said bed byasaid carriage, means mounted. in the frame forretaining the margin bar with the gauging part thereof in gauging position, and. yieldable means acting on the retaining means and normallyholding the retaining means from retaining position.

10. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed and a platen carriage movable thereover, a margin bar pivotally mounted atone end of said bed and having a gauging part normally disposed in gauging position to orient a sheet to be laid upon said bed by said carriage, means acting on said bar to hold said gauging-part in the normal position thereof independently of the carriage, and means operated by the carriage to retain said margin bar with the gauging part thereof in gauging position to thereby prevent movement of said gauging part from gauging position.

11, In a duplicating machine, the combination of animpression bed and a platen carriage movablethereover, a margin barpivotally mounted at one end of said bed and having a gauging part normally disposed in gauging position to orient a sheet to be laid upon said bed by said carriage, means on said margin bar and holding said gauging part in said normal position, means for retaining the margin bar with the gauging part thereof in gauging position, and means on operative.

12. ha duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed and a platen carriage movable thereover, a margin bar pivotally mounted at one end of said bed and having a gauging part normally disposed in gauging, position to orient a sheet to be laid upon said bed by said carriage,

means on said margin bar and holding said gauging part in said normal position, normally disengaged means for retaining the margin bar with the gauging part thereof in gauging posi- 7 tion, and means on the carriage'ior rendering said retaining means operative. 13.'In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed. and a platen carriage movablethereover, a margin bar pivotally mounted at one end of said bed. and having a gauging part adapted to be disposed in gauging position to orient'a sheet to be laid upon saidbed by said carriage, a spring pressed plunger for retaining the gauging part of .the margin'bar in gauging position, and means on the carriage for urging said plunger into retaining position.

14. In a duplicating machinathe combination of an impression bed and a platen, carriage movable thereover, a margin bar pivotally mounted at one end of said bed and having a gauging part adapted to be disposed in gauging position to orient a sheet to be laid upon said bed by said carriage, a normally retracted spring'pressed plunger for retaining the gauging part of, the margin bar in gauging position, and means on the carriage adapted to be engaged with said plunger when the carriage is in a predetermined position for urging the plunger into retaining position. I r

15. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed and a platen carriage movable thereover, a margin bar pivotally mounted at one end of said bed and having a gauging part adapted to be disposed in gauging position to orient a'sheet tobe laid upon said bed-bysaid carriage, a normally. retracted spring pressed plunger for retaining thegauging part of the margin bar in gauging position, and a cam plate on said carriageandengageable with said plunger to force the same into. retaining position.

16. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed and a platen carriage movable thereover, a margin ,bar pivotally mounted at one end of said bed and having a gauging part adapted to be disposed in gauging position to orient a sheet to be laid upon said bed by said carriage, a spring pressed plunger for retaining the gauging part of the margin bar in gauging position, and means on the carriage for urging said plunger into retaining position.

17. A margin bar for a duplicating machine and including a gauging part, spaced supports depending from said gauging part, means for pivotally mounting said supports, and means on said supports for'urging the gauging part of said margin bar into gauging position.

18. A margin bar for a duplicating machine and including a gauging part, spaced supports depending from said, gauging part, means for pivotally mounting saidsupports, and means on said supports for urging the gauging part of said margin bar into gauging position, said gauging part including a-shoulder adapted to be engaged by a sheet to be positioned by said margin bar.

19. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed and a platen carriage mov able thereover, a margin bar pivotally mounted at'one end of said bed andincluding a gauging part adapted to position a sheet engaged therewith and providing a finger rest whereby when the gauging part is pivoted from gauging position by engagement with the finger rest a marginal portion of the sheet is exposed to permit it to be-grasped and stripped from the bed, and means for snubbing such movement of said margin bar.

20. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an'impression bed and a platen carriage movable thereover,=a margin'bar pivotally mounted at one end of said bed for manual movement away from said bed and having a gauging part normally disposed in gauging'position to orient asheet to be laid upon said bed by said carriage, and means on said margin bar urging the gauging partthereof into said normal gauging position. e r

21. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed and a platen carriage movable thereover, a margin bar pivotally mounted at one end of said bed for manual movement away from said bed and having a gauging part normally disposed in gauging position to orient a sheet to be laid upon said bed by said carriage, means on said margin bar urging the gauging part thereof into said normal gauging position, and stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said margin bar in one direction to thereby retain the gauging part thereof in gauging position. i

22. In a duplicating machine, the combination of an impression bed and a platen carriage movable thereover, a margin bar pivotally mounted at one end of said bed and having a gauging part adapted to be disposed in gauging position to orient a sheet to be laid upon said bed by said carriage, and means for counterbalancing said margin bar to normally maintain the gauging part thereof ingauging position.

23. In a duplicating machine, an impression bed, a margin bar pivotally mounted at one end of said bed and adapted to be engaged by an edge of a sheet to be laid upon said bed to thereby orient the sheet relative to a matrix upon said bed, means normally disengaged from said margin bar and adapted to be engaged therewith to secure said margin bar against pivotal movement away from said bed to retain said margin bar in position to be engaged by a sheet, and yieldable means normally holding the retaining means'from retaining position.

24. In a duplicating machine, an impression bed, a margin bar pivotally mounted at one end of said bed and adapted to be engaged by an edge of a sheet to be laid upon said bed to thereby orient the sheet relativeto a matrix upon said .bed, and a spring-pressed plunger normally disengaged from said margin bar and adapted to 

